The socialization mechanisms of young people in Russia are greatly affected by the prevalence of youth subcultures, both socially positive ones and marginal subcultures that include antisocial ones. In this paper, the author focuses on a phenomenon in the youth community that is quite prevalent in the provinces of Russia, the "gopniki" [street thugs, muggers, gangbangers]. Gopniki--gangs of Russian youths who use threats and violence to rob and intimidate people--are becoming a more evident phenomenon in the streets of Russian towns and cities. As they enter adulthood there is a danger that this culture and set of values will spread to other areas of Russian life. In contrast to the familiar youth subcultures that are predominant in the mass media, the gopniks today represent a real form of the socialization of a major segment of young people who tend to come from the lowest strata in the Russian provinces. The author points out that this phenomenon should not be classified as belonging to the youth subculture in its classical meaning. It is more a worldview and way of life. (Contains 3 notes.)